Eric Johnson is national Paralympics javelin champion

Eric Johnson didn't let a physical handicap keep him from being a three-sport athlete at Montevideo High School.

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By Bruce Olsonsports editor

Montevideo American-News

By Bruce Olsonsports editor

Posted Jul. 18, 2013 at 5:00 AM

By Bruce Olsonsports editor

Posted Jul. 18, 2013 at 5:00 AM

Montevideo, MN

Eric Johnson didn't let a physical handicap keep him from being a three-sport athlete at Montevideo High School.

Finishing high school was not the end of Johnson's competitive athletic career, but a new beginning.

Johnson lost his left leg below the knee at age 5 when he was struck by a speeding van. The Shriners Hospital provided, and continues to provide, prosthetic legs for Johnson for various functions, including sports.

He participated in football, basketball and tennis in high school, qualifying for the state tennis tournament in doubles.

The 2011 Montevideo graduate enrolled at Iowa State University in Ames in the fall of 2011.

Being a Paralympic athlete was something Johnson had considered, but not pursued, until he was approached by Cathy Sel­lers, U.S. Olympic Committee director for Paralympics track and field. Sellers had seen an article about Johnson in a Shriners Hospital magazine about Eric competing in the state tennis tournament.

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